'Dharmasthala horror needs Nirbhaya-like uproar to ensure justice'

Bengaluru: The Like-Minded People’s Forum has called for a Supreme Courtmonitored investigation into the grave allegations of sexual assault, multiple murders, and the disappearance of women in Karnataka’s Dharmasthala region, now being probed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the state government.

Drawing parallels to the 2012 Nirbhaya case, forum members said only a nationwide movement of similar intensity could ensure justice in this decadesspanning horror.

The demand was raised at a meeting led by retired Supreme Court judge V Gopala Gowda.

“This issue must be fought in a nonpartisan manner until justice is achieved,” he said. The forum resolved to organise a ‘Vidhana Soudha Chalo’ protest if necessary.

Justice Gopala Gowda strongly criticised the interim court order restraining media from reporting on the Dharmasthala case. “The gag order is arbitrary and curtails the freedom of speech and expression. Every citizen has the right to know the truth and current affairs of the country and state,” he said.

He further warned: “If pressure is not brought to bear on the government and the SIT, justice will not be achieved in this case. The government is not open to investigating this matter.

The SIT was formed in response to public opinion. It was decided to continue our struggle until justice is achieved. Just like there was a nationwide uprising during the Nirbhaya case, this too must be taken up with the same intensity.”

'The cops asked the whistleblower to either show the locations or write them down. It’s a clear message to destroy all the evidence, alleged the former Supreme Court judge."

He also urged the legal fraternity to stand up against injustice, lead the protest, and safeguard human rights in the country. Senior advocate Dr C.S. Dwarakanath, who also spoke at the meeting, said, “It has been almost seven years since the murder of Gauri Lankesh. The accused are still outside. The trial is not over yet.”

He demanded that a special fast-track court be set up to hear the Dharmasthala case. He also cited the 2018 Ugrappa Committee report, which found that 467 girls were reported missing.

“Among them may be those from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu. But there are more people from Karnataka,” he said. Others present included columnist Shivasundar, Professor A Narayana, Karnataka Rashtra Samithi President Ravi Krishna Reddy, activists H.M. Venkatesh, Chetan Ahimsa, B.R. Bhaskar Prasad, and former Bangalore Bar Association president A.P. Ranganath.

The gathering emphasised that only sustained struggle could lead to justice.